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Native Plant Society of Texas

Houston Chapter

Houston Native Seed Bank & Library

Houston-area Native Seed Library

The Houston Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT)
is exploring the creation of a Local Native Seed Library!
–  Our vision is that seeds donated to this library would be made available to NPSOT Houston members to propagate their own plants from the seeds.
–  Members that withdraw seeds from the library will be requested donate a portion of the seeds produced by those plants back to the library for other members to use.
–  And/or that they donate other local native seeds they collect.

NPSOT Houston Seed Census:

Do you have extra local native seeds (see “local native” definition below) you would be willing to donate?

Please fill out the Houston Chapter Local Native Seed Library Survey form to provide information about the seeds you have.

*Please complete a separate form per each species* you would be willing to donate.

“Local native” plants are those that are native to Harris County or one of our surrounding counties.

Check whether your species is a local native by searching for it in the U.S Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service Native Plants Database: https://plants.usda.gov/java/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason